While we joke plenty here about the coming robot revolution/Skynet becoming self-aware, it’s also important to note that advances in robotic technology do not necessarily mean a malevolent future. Case in point: with computer/robot reaction times being much faster than our outdated biological capabilities, the move to robotic/automated vehicles will likely lead to far fewer traffic accidents. And today, Tesla’s Elon Musk shared an instance that shows this is already beginning to happen:
Autopilot prevents serious injury or death of a pedestrian in NY (owner anecdote confirmed by vehicle logs) pic.twitter.com/NceuqckqCK
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 21, 2016
Of course, it shouuld be acknowledged that this is a nice piece of counter-publicity to last week’s news of a fatality that occurred while using Tesla’s autopilot function. But it also shows – along with Tesla’s announcement today about moving into the transportation sector – that driving, as we know it, is going to be transformed in coming decades.
